Distributed drivetrain architectures for commercial vehicles with a hybrid electric powertrain and dual range disconnect axles

ABSTRACT

A hybrid drivetrain is provided. The hybrid drivetrain comprises a power source, a transmission, and a tandem axle assembly. The transmission includes a primary clutch and is drivingly engaged with the power source. The tandem axle assembly includes a first axle and a second axle and is drivingly engaged with the transmission. One of the transmission and the tandem axle assembly includes a first motor generator in electrical communication with a battery. The first motor generator and the primary clutch facilitate operating the hybrid drivetrain as a hybrid drivetrain in a plurality of operating modes. The hybrid drivetrain may further comprise second and third motor generators in electrical communication with the battery to facilitate operating the hybrid drivetrain in a plurality of operating modes.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/781,807, entitled “DISTRIBUTED DRIVETRAIN ARCHITECTURES FORCOMMERCIAL VEHICLES WITH A HYBRID ELECTRIC POWERTRAIN AND DUAL RANGEDISCONNECT AXLES,” and filed on Jun. 6, 2018. U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/781,807 is a national phase of International PatentApplication No. PCT/US2016/065285, filed on Dec. 7, 2016. InternationalPatent Application No. PCT/US2016/065285 claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/406,126, filed on Oct. 10, 2016,and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/264,089, filed on Dec. 7,2015. The entire contents of the above-listed applications are herebyincorporated by reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to drivetrains for commercial vehiclesand more particularly to hybrid electric drivetrains for commercialvehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Commercial vehicles or trailers having two or more rear axles allow suchvehicles to carry greater loads when compared to vehicles and trailershaving a single axle. Further, tractive effort and load distribution canbe increased in these vehicles.

Hybrid powertrains incorporate a second power source, such as amotor-generator and a battery, that can be used to increase anefficiency of a drivetrain. Currently, few options for hybridizeddrivetrains for commercial vehicles are available. Because of the uniquedemands of commercial vehicles, such as the need for a low speed, hightorque mode of operation while also having a high speed, low torque modeof operation, many challenges exist in successfully implementing ahybridized drivetrain for use with commercial vehicles. Further,regulations posed by governments increasingly demand fuel efficiencyimprovements for such vehicles.

It would be advantageous to develop a hybridized drivetrain forcommercial vehicles that meets the exacting needs of commercial vehicleswhile providing fuel efficiency improvements for vehicles incorporatingthe hybridized drivetrain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Presently provided by the application, a hybridized drivetrain forcommercial vehicles that meets the exacting needs of commercial vehicleswhile providing fuel efficiency improvements for vehicles incorporatingthe hybridized drivetrain, has surprisingly been discovered.

In one embodiment, the present application is directed to a hybriddrivetrain. The hybrid drivetrain comprises a power source, atransmission, and a tandem axle assembly. The transmission includes aprimary clutch and is drivingly engaged with the power source. Thetandem axle assembly includes a first axle and a second axle and isdrivingly engaged with the transmission. One of the transmission and thetandem axle assembly includes a first motor generator in electricalcommunication with a battery. The first motor generator and the primaryclutch facilitate operating the hybrid drivetrain as a hybrid drivetrainin a plurality of operating modes.

It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introducein simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described inthe detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essentialfeatures of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defineduniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description.Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited toimplementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any partof this disclosure.

Various aspects of this application will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art from the following detailed description of thedescribed embodiments, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as other advantages of the present application, willbecome readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the followingdetailed description when considered in the light of the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic style view of a hybrid drivetrain according to afirst embodiment of the application;

FIG. 2 is a schematic style view of a hybrid drivetrain according toanother embodiment of the application;

FIG. 3 is a schematic style view of a hybrid drivetrain according toanother embodiment of the application;

FIG. 4 is a schematic style view of a hybrid drivetrain according toanother embodiment of the application;

FIG. 5 is a schematic style view of a hybrid drivetrain according toanother embodiment of the application;

FIG. 6 is a schematic style view of a hybrid drivetrain according toanother embodiment of the application;

FIG. 7 is a schematic style view of a hybrid drivetrain according toanother embodiment of the application;

FIG. 8 is a schematic style view of a hybrid drivetrain according toanother embodiment of the application;

FIG. 9 is a schematic style view of a hybrid drivetrain according toanother embodiment of the application; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic style view of a hybrid drivetrain according toanother embodiment of the application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the application may assume variousalternative orientations and step sequences, except where expresslyspecified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specificdevices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, anddescribed in the following specification are simply exemplaryembodiments of the inventive concepts of the present application. Hence,specific dimensions, directions, orientations or other physicalcharacteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed are not to beconsidered as limiting, unless expressly stated otherwise.

FIG. 1 is a schematic style view of a hybrid drivetrain 100 according toa first embodiment of the application. The hybrid drivetrain 100includes a power source 102, a hybrid transmission 104, and a tandemaxle drive unit 106, the tandem drive axle unit 106 including a firstaxle drive unit 144 and a second axle drive unit 146. The power source102 is drivingly engaged with an input of the hybrid transmission 104.The tandem axle drive unit 106 is drivingly engaged with an output ofthe hybrid transmission 104.

The power source 102 is an internal combustion engine, however, it isunderstood that the power source 102 may also be a hybrid type powersource incorporating a secondary power source in addition to an internalcombustion engine. Further, it is understood that the power source 102may also be a source of electrical power, such as a fuel cell. Thehybrid transmission 104 includes a primary clutch 108, a planetarygearset 110, a first motor-generator 112, a second motor-generator 114,a secondary clutch 116, and a gear box 118. A portion of the primaryclutch 108 acts as the input for the hybrid transmission 104. A portionof the gear box 118 acts as the output for the hybrid transmission 104.The primary clutch 108, the first motor-generator 112, and secondmotor-generator 114 are in driving engagement with portions of theplanetary gearset 110. The secondary clutch 116 is in driving engagementwith the first motor-generator 112 and the gear box 118.

The primary clutch 108 is a clutch which can be variably engaged, suchas a plate or cone style clutch.

The planetary gearset 110 comprises a sun gear portion 120, a carrierportion 122, and a ring gear portion 124. The sun gear portion 120 is indriving engagement with the second motor-generator 114. The carrierportion 122 is in driving engagement with a portion of the primaryclutch 108. The ring gear portion 24 is in driving engagement with thefirst motor-generator 112. It is understood that the planetary gearset110 may have other configurations that facilitate a similar operation;in which torques applied by the power source 102 and the second motorgenerator 114 may be summed and applied to the first motor generator112.

The first motor generator 112 is in driving engagement with the ringgear portion 124 of the planetary gearset 110 and the secondary clutch116. The first motor generator 112 is in electrical communication with acontroller 126 and a battery 128. It is understood that the first motorgenerator 112, or any of the other motor generators described herein,may be incorporated into a gearbox, transmission, or other drivelinecomponent of the hybrid drivetrain 100. Depending on an electricalcontrol of the first motor generator 112 using the controller 126, thefirst motor generator 112 may apply a driving force to propel or retarda portion of the hybrid drivetrain 100 it is drivingly engaged with.

The second motor generator 114 is in driving engagement with the sungear portion 120 of the planetary gearset 110 and the secondary clutch116. The second motor generator 1 4 is in electrical communication withthe controller 126 and the battery 128. It is understood that the secondmotor generator 114, or any of the other motor generators describedherein, may be incorporated into a gearbox, transmission, or otherdriveline component of the hybrid drivetrain 100. Depending on anelectrical control of the second motor generator 114 using thecontroller 126, the first motor generator 112 may apply a driving forceto propel or retard a portion of the hybrid drivetrain 100 it isdrivingly engaged with.

The secondary clutch 116 is a clutch which can be variably engaged, suchas a plate or cone style clutch.

The gear box 118 is a multi-speed gearbox in driving engagement with thesecondary clutch 116 and the tandem axle drive unit 106. The gear box 18may be manually or automatically operated.

The tandem axle drive unit 06 is drivingly engaged with the gear box118, a first axle 130, and a second axle 132. The tandem axle drive unit106 is configured to be placed in two modes of operation, depending on aposition of a selection clutch 134. In a first mode of operation, thetandem axle drive unit 106 operates in a high torque, dual axle modeoperation. In a second mode of operation, the tandem axle drive unit 106operates in a low torque, single axle mode operation. As shown in FIG. 1, the hybrid driveline 100 includes an optional axle disconnect clutch136. The tandem axle drive unit 106 is similar in structure andfunctionality to the planetary drive unit 716 shown in FIG. 7 ,described hereinbelow.

In use, through control of the primary clutch 108 and the secondaryclutch 116, driving and charging can occur with and without engagementwith the rest of the hybrid drivetrain 100. The hybrid drivetrain 100 isa series-parallel hybrid drivetrain, and may be operated in a pluralityof operating modes as described hereinbelow. The first motor generator112 is placed inline in the hybrid drivetrain 100, and the second motorgenerator 114 can be used to supplement the hybrid drivetrain 100through the planetary gearset 110. The motor generators 12, 114 providethe following benefits: engine downsizing, efficiency improvement byoperating the power source 102 within a narrower band (allowing thesecond motor generator 114 to provide acceleration flexibility), reducedgearing in the gearbox 118, and a downsizing of the axles 130, 132.

FIG. 2 is a schematic style view of a hybrid drivetrain 200 according toanother embodiment of the application. The hybrid drivetrain 200includes a power source 202, a hybrid transmission 204, and a tandemaxle drive unit 206, the tandem axle drive unit 206 including a firstaxle drive unit 244 and a second axle drive unit 246. The power source202 is drivingly engaged with an input of the hybrid transmission 204.The tandem axle drive unit 206 is drivingly engaged with an output ofthe hybrid transmission 204. The hybrid drivetrain 200 is similar to thehybrid drivetrain 100 shown in FIG. 1 , with the exception that thehybrid drivetrain 200 shown in FIG. 2 does not include the primaryclutch 108. The clutch 216 facilitates disengaging the gear box 218 fromthe first motor generator 212.

FIG. 3 is a schematic style view of a hybrid drivetrain 300 according toanother embodiment of the application. The hybrid drivetrain 300includes a power source 302, a hybrid transmission 304, and a tandemaxle drive unit 306, the tandem axle drive unit 306 including a firstaxle drive unit 344 and a second axle drive unit 346. The power source302 is drivingly engaged with an input of the hybrid transmission 304.The tandem axle drive unit 306 is drivingly engaged with an output ofthe hybrid transmission 304. The hybrid drivetrain 300 is similar to thehybrid drivetrain 100 shown in FIG. 1 , with the exception that thehybrid drivetrain 300 shown in FIG. 3 does not include the secondaryclutch 116.

FIG. 4 is a schematic style view of a hybrid drivetrain 400 according toanother embodiment of the application. The hybrid drivetrain 400includes a power source 402, a hybrid transmission 404, and a motorizedtandem axle drive unit 438, the motorized tandem axle drive unit 438including a first axle drive unit 444 and a second axle drive unit 446.The power source 402 is drivingly engaged with an input of the hybridtransmission 404. The motorized tandem axle drive unit 438 is drivinglyengaged with an output of the hybrid transmission 404. The hybriddrivetrain is similar to the hybrid drivetrain 100 shown in FIG. 1 ,with the exception that the hybrid drivetrain shown in FIG. 4 does notinclude the secondary clutch 116 and includes the motorized tandem axledrive unit 438.

The motorized tandem axle drive unit 438 is drivingly engaged with agear box 418, a first axle 430, and a second axle 432. Unlike the tandemaxle drive unit 106 shown in FIG. 1 , the motorized tandem axle driveunit 438 includes a third motor generator 440 in driving engagementtherewith. Further, it is understood that the third motor generator 440,or any other motor generator described herein, may include a powerinverter 442, integrated therewith to facilitate a conversion ofelectrical power needed to operate the third motor generator 440. Thethird motor generator 440 is in electrical communication with thecontroller 426 and the battery 428. It is understood that the thirdmotor generator 440, or any of the other motor generators describedherein, may be incorporated into a gearbox, transmission, or otherdriveline component of the hybrid drivetrain 400. The motorized tandemaxle drive unit 438 is configured to be placed in two modes ofoperation, depending on a position of a selection clutch 434. In a firstmode of operation, the motorized tandem axle drive unit 438 operates ina high torque, dual axle mode operation, and the third motor generator440 may apply a driving force to propel or retard a portion of thehybrid drivetrain 400 it is drivingly engaged with. In a second mode ofoperation, the motorized tandem axle drive unit 438 operates in a lowtorque, single axle mode operation.

FIG. 5 is a schematic style view of a hybrid drivetrain 500 according toanother embodiment of the application. The hybrid drivetrain includes apower source 502, a hybrid transmission 504, and a tandem axle unit 506,the tandem axle unit 506 including a first axle drive unit 544 and asecond axle drive unit 546. The power source 502 is drivingly engagedwith an input of the hybrid transmission 504. The first axle drive unit544 is drivingly engaged with an output of the hybrid transmission 504.The second axle drive unit 546 is in electrical communication with acontroller 526 and a battery 528 of the hybrid drivetrain 500. Thehybrid drivetrain 500 is similar to the hybrid drivetrain 100 shown inFIG. 1 , with the exception that the hybrid drivetrain shown in FIG. 5includes the first axle drive unit 544 and the second axle drive unit546.

The first axle drive unit 544 is drivingly engaged with a gear box 518and a first axle 530 of the hybrid drivetrain 500. The first axle driveunit 544 is conventional and well known in the art and comprises a drivepinion, a ring gear, and differential assembly.

The second axle drive unit 546 includes a third motor generator 548 andis drivingly engaged with a second axle 532 of the hybrid drivetrain.The third motor generator 548 is in electrical communication with thecontroller 526 and the battery 528. It is understood that the thirdmotor generator 548, or any of the other motor generators describedherein, may be incorporated into a gearbox, transmission, or otherdriveline component of the hybrid drivetrain 500. The third motorgenerator 548 may apply a driving force to propel or retard the secondaxle drive unit 546 of the hybrid drivetrain 500 through a countershaftgear assembly 550 and second axle 532, for example. Further, it isunderstood that the third motor generator 548, or any other motorgenerator described herein, may include a power inverter 552, integratedtherewith to facilitate a conversion of electrical power needed tooperate the third motor generator 548.

FIG. 6 is a schematic style view of a hybrid drivetrain 600 according toanother embodiment of the application. The hybrid drivetrain 600includes a power source 602, a hybrid transmission 604, and a tandemaxle unit 606, the tandem axle unit 606 including a first axle driveunit 644 and a second axle drive unit 646. The power source 602 isdrivingly engaged with an input of the hybrid transmission 604. Thefirst axle drive unit 644 is drivingly engaged with an output of thehybrid transmission 604.

The hybrid transmission 604 includes a primary clutch 610, a firstmotor-generator 612, and a gear box 614. A portion of the primary clutch610 acts as the input for the hybrid transmission 604. A portion of thegear box 614 acts as the output for the hybrid transmission 604.

The first motor generator 612 is in driving engagement with the primaryclutch 610 and the gear box 614. The first motor generator 612 is inelectrical communication with a controller 616 and a battery 618. It isunderstood that the first motor generator 612, or any of the other motorgenerators described herein, may be incorporated into a gearbox,transmission, or other driveline component of the hybrid drivetrain 600.Depending on an electrical control of the first motor generator 612using the controller 616, the first motor generator 6 2 may apply adriving force to propel or retard a portion of the hybrid drivetrain 600it is drivingly engaged with.

The first axle drive unit 644 is drivingly engaged with the gear box 614and a first axle 620 of the hybrid drivetrain 600. The first axle driveunit 644 is conventional and well known in the art.

The second axle drive unit 646 includes a second motor generator 622 andis drivingly engaged with a second axle 624 of the hybrid drivetrain600. The second motor generator 622 is in electrical communication withthe controller 616 and the battery 618. It is understood that the secondmotor generator 622, or any of the other motor generators describedherein, may be incorporated into a gearbox, transmission, or otherdriveline component of the hybrid drivetrain 600. The second motorgenerator 622 may apply force to propel or retard the second axle 624 ofthe hybrid drivetrain 600. As shown in FIG. 6 , the hybrid drivelineincludes as optional axle disconnect clutch 626. The hybrid drivetrain600 is a parallel hybrid drivetrain, and may be operated in a pluralityof operating modes as described hereinbelow. The second motor generator622 may also include additional components to facilitate operation andincreased functionality of the second motor generator 622, such as butnot limited to, an inverter 630, power electronics for control of thesecond motor generator 622, a DC-DC converter, or electronics used for agenerator function. It is also understood that second motor generator622 may include at least a portion of a cooling system used forelectrical components.

In use, the hybrid drivetrain 600 may be operated in a plurality ofoperating modes. The hybrid drivetrain 600 may be operated in anall-electric mode, a hybrid mode, a regeneration/braking mode, acharging mode, and a direct drive mode. Further, it is understood thatthe operating modes described hereinbelow with respect to the hybriddrivetrain 600 may be adapted for use with the other hybrid drivetrainsdescribed herein, utilizing the architecture of each to operate in theall-electric mode (where applicable), the hybrid mode, theregeneration/braking mode, the charging mode, and the direct drive mode.

In one embodiment of the all-electric mode, the primary clutch 610 isplaced in a disengaged position, and the battery 618 serves as the onlypower source for the hybrid drivetrain 600 for the vehicle. In theall-electric mode, the hybrid transmission 604, the second motorgenerator 622, or both the hybrid transmission 604 and second motorgenerator 622 may apply force to the hybrid drivetrain 600, causingrotation of at least one of a plurality of wheel assemblies 628,propelling the vehicle. When only the hybrid transmission 604 is used inthe all-electric mode, the axle disconnect clutch 626 may be placed in adisengaged position, and the first motor-generator 612 of the hybridtransmission 604, in response to communication with the controller 616,applies force to the hybrid drivetrain 600 to propel the vehicle. Whenonly the second motor generator 622 is used in the all-electric mode,the primary clutch 610 is placed in a disengaged position, and thesecond motor generator 622, in response to communication with thecontroller 616, applies a driving force to propel the hybrid drivetrain600 through the second axle 624. When both the hybrid transmission 604and the second motor generator 622 are used in the all-electric mode,the primary clutch 610 and the axle disconnect clutch 626 are \ placedin an engaged position and the hybrid transmission 604 and the secondmotor generator 622, in response to communication with the controller616, apply force to the hybrid drivetrain 600 to propel the vehicle.

In the hybrid mode, the primary clutch 610 is placed in an engagedposition, and the battery 618 and the power source 602 serve as acombined power source for the hybrid drivetrain 600 for the vehicle. Inthe hybrid mode, the hybrid transmission 604, the second motor generator622, or both the hybrid transmission 604 and the second motor generator622, in addition to the power source 602, may apply a driving force tothe hybrid drivetrain 600 to propel the vehicle. When the hybridtransmission 604 and the second motor generator 622 are used in thehybrid mode, the primary clutch 610 and the axle disconnect clutch 626are placed in an engaged position, and the hybrid transmission 604, thesecond motor generator 622, and the power source 602, in response tocommunication with the controller 616, apply force to the hybriddrivetrain 600 to propel the vehicle. When the hybrid transmission 604is used in the hybrid mode, the primary clutch 6 0 is placed in anengaged position and the axle disconnect clutch 626 is placed in adisengaged position, and the hybrid transmission 604 and the powersource 602 (applying a driving force through the first motor generator612), in response to communication with the controller 616, apply adriving force to the hybrid drivetrain 600 to propel the vehicle. Whenthe second motor generator 622 is used in the hybrid mode, the primaryclutch 610 and the axle disconnect clutch 626 are placed in an engagedposition, and the second motor generator 622 and the power source 602(applying force through the first motor generator 6 2), in response tocommunication with the controller 616, apply a driving force to thehybrid drivetrain 600 to propel the vehicle.

In the regeneration/braking mode, the hybrid transmission 604, thesecond motor generator 622, or both the hybrid transmission 604 and thesecond motor generator 622 are used to retard the hybrid drivetrain 600for the vehicle to facilitate capturing kinetic energy of the vehicle aselectrical power to be stored in the battery 618. Theregeneration/braking mode may be used to assist a conventional brakingsystem or may be used to regulate a speed of the vehicle when descendingan incline. When the second motor generator 622 is used in theregeneration/braking mode, the axle disconnect clutch 626 is placed inan engaged position and the primary clutch 610 may be placed in adisengaged condition (it is understood that engine braking using thepower source 602 may or may not be used in addition to theregeneration/braking mode), and the second motor generator 622 retardsthe hybrid drivetrain 600 to capture kinetic energy as electrical power.When the hybrid transmission 604 is used in the regeneration/brakingmode, the axle disconnect clutch 626 may be placed in a disengagedposition and the primary clutch 610 may be placed in a disengagedcondition (it is understood that engine braking using the power source602 may or may not be used in addition to the regeneration/brakingmode), and the hybrid transmission 604 retards the hybrid drivetrain 600to capture kinetic energy as electrical power. When both the hybridtransmission 604 and the second motor generator 622 are used in theregeneration/braking mode, the axle disconnect clutch 626 is placed in adisengaged position and the primary clutch 610 may be placed in adisengaged condition (it is understood that engine braking using thepower source 602 may or may not be used in addition to theregeneration/braking mode), and both the hybrid transmission 604 and thesecond motor generator 622 retard the hybrid drivetrain 600 to capturekinetic energy as electrical power.

In the charging mode, the power source 602 and the first motor generator612 or the second motor generator 622 are used to charge the battery618. It is understood that the charging mode may be utilized when thehybrid transmission 604 is propelling the vehicle in the direct drivemode. In the charging mode, the axle disconnect clutch 626 may be placedin a disengaged position and the primary clutch 610 is placed in anengaged condition, allowing the power source 602 and the first motorgenerator 612 to charge the battery 618 while the hybrid transmission604 is used to propel the vehicle, if desired.

In the direct drive mode, neither the first motor generator 612 nor thesecond motor generator 622 are used to propel the vehicle. It isunderstood that the direct drive mode may be utilized when a chargelevel of the battery 618 does not permit operation in the all-electricor hybrid modes. In the direct drive mode, the primary clutch 610 isplaced in an engaged position, and the power source 602 in response tocommunication with the controller 616, applies force (through the firstmotor generator 612 and the hybrid transmission 604) to the hybriddrivetrain 600 to propel the vehicle.

FIG. 7 is a schematic style view of a hybrid drivetrain 700 according toanother embodiment of the application. The hybrid drivetrain 700includes a power source 702, a transmission 704, and a hybrid tandemaxle drive unit 706, the hybrid tandem axle drive unit 706 including afirst axle drive unit 7 8 and a second axle drive unit 720. The powersource 702 is drivingly engaged with an input of the transmission 704.The hybrid tandem axle drive unit 706 is drivingly engaged with anoutput of the transmission 704 through a Cardan shaft 708, for example.

The power source 702 is an internal combustion engine, however, it isunderstood that the power source 702 may also be a hybrid type powersource incorporating a secondary power source in addition to an internalcombustion engine. Further, it is understood that the power source 702may also be a source of electrical power, such as a fuel cell.

The transmission 704 includes at least a primary clutch 710 and a geararrangement 712; however, it is understood that the primary clutch 710may form a portion of the gear arrangement 712 or that the primaryclutch 710 is a separate component from the gear arrangement 712 anddrivingly engaged there with in any conventional manner. A portion ofthe primary clutch 710 acts as the input for the transmission 704. Aportion of the gear arrangement 712 acts as the output for thetransmission 704. The primary clutch 710 is a clutch which can bevariably engaged, such as a plate or cone style clutch. The geararrangement 712 forms a multi-speed gearbox in driving engagement with aportion of the primary clutch 710 and the hybrid tandem axle drive unit706. The gear arrangement 712 may be manually or automatically operated.

The hybrid tandem axle drive unit 706 is drivingly engaged with thetransmission 704 through the Cardan shaft 708; however, it is understoodthat certain embodiments of the application may not require the Cardanshaft 708. The hybrid tandem axle drive unit 706 comprises amotor-generator 714, a planetary drive unit 716, a first axle driveassembly 718, and a second axle drive assembly 720. The hybrid tandemaxle drive unit 706 is configured to be placed in at least two modes ofoperation, depending on a position of a selection clutch 722 of theplanetary drive unit 716. In a first mode of operation, the hybridtandem axle drive unit 706 operates in a high torque, dual axle modeoperation. In a second mode of operation, the hybrid tandem axle driveunit 706 operates in a low torque, single axle mode operation. As shownin FIG. 7 , the hybrid driveline 700 includes as optional an axledisconnect clutch 724 forming a portion of the second axle driveassembly 720.

The motor-generator 714 is in driving engagement with the transmission704 through the Cardan shaft 708 and the planetary drive unit 716. Themotor-generator 714 is in electrical communication with a controller 726and a battery 728. It is understood that the third motor-generator 714,or any of the other motor generators described herein, may beincorporated into a gearbox, transmission, or other driveline componentof the hybrid drivetrain 700. Depending on an electrical control of themotor-generator 714 using the controller 726, the motor-generator 714may apply force to or retard the portion of the hybrid drivetrain 700 itis drivingly engaged with. The motor-generator 714 may also includeadditional components to facilitate operation and increasedfunctionality of the motor-generator 714, such as but not limited to, aninverter, power electronics for control of the motor-generator 714, aDC-DC converter, or electronics used for a generator function. It isalso understood that the motor-generator 714 may include at least aportion of a cooling system used for electrical components.

The controller 726 is in electrical communication with at least themotor-generator 714 and the battery 728. The controller 726 may be ahybrid supervisory controller with dual range disconnect controlmanagement. It is understood that the controller 726 may also be incommunication with at least one of the power source 702, the primaryclutch 710, the planetary drive unit 716, the axle disconnect clutch 724of the hybrid tandem axle drive unit 706, a vehicle controller (notshown), the gear arrangement 712, an engine controller (not shown), abraking controller (not shown), another type of controller, an advanceddriver assistance system (ADAS), or an automated driving controller. Thecontroller 726 controls an operating mode of the hybrid tandem axledrive 706 unit by at least controlling engagement of the primary clutch710, by communicating with a transmission controller (not shown) toadjust an operating range of the gear arrangement 712, by controllingthe axle mode, by adjusting a position of the selection clutch 722 ofthe planetary drive unit 716, by controlling the motor-generator 714,and by adjusting a position of the axle disconnect clutch 724 to apply adriving force to propel or retard portions of the hybrid drivetrain 700each are respectively drivingly engaged with.

The battery 728 is a rechargeable, electrochemical energy storage devicein electrical communication with the controller 726 and themotor-generator 714. It is understood that the battery 728 may also bein electrical communication with other components of the hybriddrivetrain 700 or the vehicle to supply power thereto. Further, it isunderstood that the battery 728 may also be another type of electricalstorage, such as an supercapacitor. In response to the controller 726adjusting an operating mode of the hybrid drivetrain 700, the battery728 may be charged or discharged. It is also understood that the battery728 may include at least a portion of a cooling system used forelectrical components. The planetary drive unit 716 includes an inputshaft 732, a plurality of driving pinions 734, a transfer shaft 736, asecond output gear 738, a first output gear 740, and the selectionclutch 722. The components 732, 734, 736, 738, 740, 722 may be formedfrom a hardened steel, however the components 732, 734, 736, 738, 740,722 may be formed from any other rigid material. As shown, the planetarydrive unit 716 includes the six components 732, 734, 736, 738, 740, 722disposed in a housing 741 but it is understood the planetary drive unit716 may include fewer or more components. In response to a signal sentby the controller 726, an actuator 742 adjusts a position of theselection clutch 722.

The input shaft 732 is at least partially disposed in a housing (notshown). The input shaft 732 may be an elongate member, however the inputshaft 732 may be any other shape. Bearings (not shown) disposed betweenthe input shaft 732 and the housing permit the input shaft 732 to rotateabout an axis of the input shaft 732. The input shaft 732 has a firstend portion drivingly engaged with the motor-generator 714 and a secondend portion having a pinion carrier 746, a first set of clutch gearteeth 748, and an engagement portion 750 formed thereon. The second endportion is a substantially hollow body having a diameter greater than adiameter of the first end portion. The second end portion is drivinglycoupled to the input shaft 732. Alternately, the second end portion maybe integrally formed with the input shaft 732.

The pinion carrier 746 is a substantially disc shaped body drivinglycoupled to the second end portion of the input shaft 732. The pinioncarrier 746 includes a plurality of pinion supports 752 protruding froma first side of the pinion carrier 746 into the second end portion ofthe input shaft 732. The engagement portion 750 is formed on a secondside of the pinion carrier 746. As is known in the art, the pinioncarrier 746 is also known as a planet carrier.

The engagement portion 750 is a conical surface oblique to the inputshaft 732, however, the engagement portion 750 may have any other shape.The first set of clutch gear teeth 748 are formed on the pinion carrier746 radially inward from the engagement portion 750.

The plurality of driving pinions 734 are rotatably coupled to the pinionsupports 752. Each of the driving pinions 734 have gear teeth formed onan outer surface thereof. As is known in the art, each of the drivingpinions 734 is also known as a planet gear. Bearings may be disposedbetween each of the driving pinions 734 and the pinion supports 752,however, the driving pinions 710 may be directly mounted on the pinionsupports.

The transfer shaft 736 is a shaft rotatably disposed in the housing andhaving an axis of rotation concurrent with the axis of rotation of theinput shaft 732. The transfer shaft 736 may be a hollow elongatecylindrical member, however the transfer shaft 736 may be any othershape. Bearings (not shown) disposed between the transfer shaft 736 andpinion carrier 746 permit the transfer shaft 736 to rotate about an axisof the transfer shaft 736. The transfer shaft 736 has a first endportion having a first set of clutch gear teeth 754 formed on an outersurface thereof, and a second end portion having a second set of gearteeth 756 formed on an outer surface thereof. The first end portion andthe second end portion are integrally formed with the transfer shaft 736and may have a diameter substantially equal to the transfer shaft 736.Alternately, the first end portion and the second end portion may besubstantially disc shaped bodies having an outer diameter greater than adiameter of the transfer shaft 736. The first end portion and the secondend portion may be drivingly coupled to the transfer shaft 736.Similarly, the first set of clutch gear teeth 754 and the second set ofgear teeth 756 may be formed directly in the transfer shaft 736. As isknown in the art, the second end portion having the gear teeth 756 isknown as a sun gear. The second set of gear teeth 756 are engaged withthe plurality of driving pinions 734 and the first set of clutch gearteeth 754 are disposed adjacent the first set of clutch gear teeth 748of the pinion carrier 746.

The second output gear 738 is a gear concentrically disposed about aportion of the transfer shaft 736. The second output gear 738 has acentral perforation having a diameter greater than a diameter of thetransfer shaft 736. The second output gear 738 is a substantially discshaped body having a first end portion, a second end portion defining anouter diameter of the second output gear 738, and an engagement portion758. Bearings disposed between the second output gear 738 and thehousing permit the second output gear 738 to rotate about an axis of thesecond output gear 738. The axis of the second output gear 738 isconcurrent with the axis of the input shaft 732. A first set of clutchgear teeth 760 are formed on the first end portion adjacent the firstset of clutch gear teeth 754 of the transfer shaft 736. A second set ofgear teeth 762 are formed on the second end portion. The engagementportion 758 is formed in the second output gear 738 intermediate thefirst end portion and the second end portion. As shown, the engagementportion 758 is a conical surface oblique to the input shaft 732;however, the engagement portion 758 may have any other shape.

The selection clutch 722 is concentrically disposed about the transfershaft 736. The selection clutch 722 includes a set of inner clutchcollar teeth 764 formed on an inner surface thereof, a firstsynchronizer ring 766, and a second synchronizer ring 768. The secondsynchronizer ring 768 may be a cone clutch that is used in conjunctionwith a dog clutch, wherein shifting the selection clutch 722 utilizes atorque interrupt shift. It is understood that it is also within thescope of the application for the selection clutch 722 to be a dog styleclutch that does not utilize synchronizers, requiring the hybriddriveline 700 to be placed in a non-moving state before the selectionclutch 722 can be moved. The set of inner clutch collar teeth 764 areengaged with the first set of clutch gear teeth 754 of the transfershaft 736. The selection clutch 722 can be slidably moved along the axisof the input shaft 732 as directed by the controller 726 whilemaintaining engagement of the inner clutch collar teeth 764 and thefirst set of clutch gear teeth 754. A shift fork 770 disposed in anannular recess formed in the selection clutch 722 moves the selectionclutch 722 along the axis of the input shaft 732 into a first position,a second position, or a neutral position. The actuator 742, which isdrivingly engaged with the shift fork 770, is engaged to position theshift fork 770 as directed by the controller 726. Consequently, theshift fork 770 positions the selection clutch 722 into the firstposition, the second position, or the neutral position. In the firstposition, the selection clutch 722 is drivingly engaged with the firstset of clutch gear teeth 754 of the transfer shaft 736 and the first setof clutch gear teeth 748 of the pinion carrier 746. In the secondposition, the selection clutch 722 is drivingly engaged with the firstset of clutch gear teeth 754 of the transfer shaft 736 and the first setof clutch gear teeth 760 of the second output gear 738. In oneembodiment of the neutral position, the inner clutch collar teeth 764 ofthe selection clutch 722 are only drivingly engaged with the first setof clutch gear teeth 754 of the transfer shaft 736. It is understood theselection clutch 722, the clutch gear teeth 754, 748, 760, 764, thesynchronizer rings 766, 768, and the engagement portions 750, 758 may besubstituted with any clutching device that permits selective engagementof a driving and a driven part.

The first synchronizer ring 766 is an annular body coupled to theselection clutch 722 adjacent the engagement portion 750 of the pinioncarrier 746. The first synchronizer ring 766 has a first conicalengagement surface. Alternately, the first synchronizer ring 766 mayhave an engagement surface having any other shape. A biasing member (notshown) is disposed between the selection clutch 722 and the firstsynchronizer ring 766 to urge the first synchronizer ring 766 away fromthe selection clutch 722. When the selection clutch 722 is moved fromthe second position into the first position, the first conicalengagement surface contacts the engagement portion 750 of the pinioncarrier 746. As the selection clutch 722 moves towards the first set ofclutch gear teeth 748 of the input shaft 732, the biasing member iscompressed while the selection clutch 722 engages the first set ofclutch gear teeth 748 of the transfer shaft 736 and before the selectionclutch 722 engages the first set of clutch gear teeth 748 of the pinioncarrier 746.

The second synchronizer ring 768 is an annular body coupled to theselection clutch 722 adjacent the first end portion of the second outputgear 738. The second synchronizer ring 768 has a second conicalengagement surface. Alternately, the second synchronizer ring 738 mayhave an engagement surface having any other shape. A biasing member (notshown) is disposed between the selection clutch 722 and the secondsynchronizer ring 768 to urge the second synchronizer ring 768 away fromthe selection clutch 722. When the selection clutch 722 is moved fromthe first position into the second position, the second conicalengagement surface contacts the engagement portion 758 of the secondoutput gear 738. As the selection clutch 722 moves towards the first setof clutch gear teeth 760 of the second output gear 738, the biasingmember is compressed while the selection clutch 722 engages the firstset of clutch gear teeth 754 of the transfer shaft 736 and before theselection clutch 722 engages the first set of clutch gear teeth 760 ofthe second output gear 738.

The first output gear 740 is a gear concentrically disposed within thesecond end portion of the input shaft 732. The first output gear 740 isa substantially cup shaped body having an inner surface having gearteeth 772 formed on. As is known in the art, the first output gear 740is known as a ring gear. The gear teeth 772 are engaged with the gearteeth formed on the outer surface of each of the driving pinions 734.The first output gear 740 includes an output shaft 774 and first axledrive pinion 776 drivingly coupled thereto. Alternately, the firstoutput gear 740 may be integrally formed with the output shaft 774. Theoutput shaft 774 is collinear with the input shaft 732. Bearingsdisposed between the output shaft 774 and the housing support the outputshaft 774 and permit the output shaft 774 to rotate about an axis of theoutput shaft 774. The first axle drive pinion 776 is a spiral bevel gearthe facilitates driving engagement between the axle output shaft 774 andthe first axle drive assembly 718; however, it is understood that othertype of gears may be used.

The first axle drive assembly 718 includes a first differential assembly778 and a first drive axle 780. The first differential assembly 778 andthe first drive axle 780 are at least partially disposed in a first axlehousing (not shown). The first differential assembly 778 is aconventional differential assembly comprising a ring gear, differentialhousing, drive pinions, and side gears as known in the art. The sidegears of the first differential assembly 778 are respectively drivinglyengaged with a first axle output shaft and the second axle output shaftof the first drive axle 780. The ring gear of the first differentialassembly 778 is drivingly engaged with the first axle drive pinion 776to facilitate driving engagement between the first output gear 740 andthe differential assembly.

The second axle drive assembly 720 includes an inter-axle assembly 782,a second differential assembly 784, a second drive axle 786, and theaxle disconnect clutch 724. The second differential assembly 784, thesecond drive axle 786, and the axle disconnect clutch 724 are at leastpartially disposed in a second axle housing (not shown). The inter-axleassembly 782 comprises a geared shaft 788 in driving engagement with thesecond output gear 738, a Cardan shaft 790 in driving engagement withthe geared shaft 788, and a second axle drive pinion 792 in drivingengagement with the Cardan shaft 790. The second differential assembly784 is a conventional differential assembly comprising a ring gear,differential housing, drive pinions, and side gears as known in the art.The side gears of the second differential assembly 784 are respectivelydrivingly engaged with a first axle output shaft and the second axleoutput shaft of the second drive axle 786. The ring gear of the seconddifferential assembly 784 is drivingly engaged with the inter-axleassembly 782 to facilitate driving engagement between the second outputgear 738 and the second differential assembly 784. The second drive axle786 comprises the first axle output shaft and the second axle outputshaft. One of the first axle output shaft and the second axle outputshaft may be divided into two portions by disengaging the axledisconnect clutch 724. By disengaging the axle disconnect clutch 724,the inter-axle assembly 782 and the second differential assembly 784 areprevented from being back-driven when the hybrid tandem axle drive unit706 is placed in a single axle mode of operation.

In use, through control of the primary clutch 710, the selection clutch722, and the axle disconnect clutch 724, driving and charging can occurwith and without engagement with the rest of the hybrid drivetrain 700.The hybrid drivetrain 700 is a parallel post transmission hybriddrivetrain that allows the tandem axle drive unit 706 to be operated ina plurality of modes, as described hereinbelow. The motor generator 714is placed inline in the hybrid driveline, and can be used to power orsupplement the power source 702 for boosting or to recuperate thebraking energy via the hybrid driveline 700 by applying torque to theplanetary drive unit 716 or receiving torque from the drive axles 180,786 via the planetary drive unit 716. The motor generator 714 providesthe following benefits: engine downsizing, efficiency improvement byoperating the power source 702 within a narrower band (allowing themotor generator 714 to provide acceleration flexibility), reducedgearing in the transmission 704, increased retrofitability, andincreased functionality of a two speed electrified axle that increasesperformance of the hybrid driveline 700 having the motor generator 714located in front of the planetary drive unit 716. Further, it isunderstood that through the addition of the motor generator 714, thecontroller 726, and the battery 728, a conventional driveline may beretrofitted to form the hybrid drivetrain 700. It is also understoodthat the hybrid drivetrain 700 may be configured to implement techniquesthat improve an efficiency of the hybrid drivetrain 700, such as, butnot limited to, on-demand cylinder deactivation of a portion of thepower source 702 via fuel shut off.

FIG. 8 is a schematic style view of a hybrid drivetrain 800 according toanother embodiment of the application. The hybrid drivetrain 800includes a power source 802, a transmission 804, and a hybrid tandemaxle drive unit 894, the hybrid tandem axle drive unit 894 including afirst axle drive assembly 818 and a second axle drive assembly 820. Thepower source 802 is drivingly engaged with an input of the transmission804. The hybrid tandem axle drive unit 894 is drivingly engaged with anoutput of the transmission 804 through a Cardan shaft 808, for example.The hybrid drivetrain 800 is similar to the hybrid drivetrain 700 shownin FIG. 7 , with the exception that the hybrid drivetrain 800 shown inFIG. 8 includes a variation of the hybrid tandem axle drive unit 706. Inone embodiment of the hybrid drivetrain 800 includes a motor-generator814 located after a planetary drive unit 816 and provides for operationat only a single operation speed of the hybrid drivetrain 800. Thevariation of the application shown in FIG. 8 includes similar componentsto the hybrid drivetrain 700 illustrated in FIG. 7 . Similar features ofthe variation shown in FIG. 8 are numbered similarly in series.Different and additional features of the variation shown in FIG. 8 canbe appreciated by one skilled in the art in view of FIG. 8 and thehybrid drivetrain 700 illustrated in FIG. 7 .

The hybrid tandem axle drive unit 894 is drivingly engaged with thetransmission 804 through the Cardan shaft 808. The hybrid tandem axledrive unit 894 comprises the planetary drive unit 816, themotor-generator 814, the first axle drive assembly 818, and the secondaxle drive assembly 820. The hybrid tandem axle drive unit 894 isconfigured to be placed in at least two modes of operation, depending ona position of a selection clutch 822 of the planetary drive unit 816. Ina first mode of operation, the hybrid tandem axle drive unit 894operates in a high torque, dual axle mode operation. In a second mode ofoperation, the hybrid tandem axle drive unit 894 operates in a lowtorque, single axle mode operation. As shown in FIG. 8 , the hybriddriveline 800 includes as optional an axle disconnect clutch 824 forminga portion of the second axle drive assembly 820.

The motor-generator 814 is in driving engagement with the output shaft874 of the first output gear 840 of the planetary drive unit 816, Themotor-generator 814 is in electrical communication with a controller 826and a battery 828. It is understood that the motor-generator 814, or anyof the other motor generators described herein, may be incorporated intoa gearbox, transmission, or other driveline component of the hybriddrivetrain 800. Depending on an electrical control of themotor-generator 814 using the controller 826, the motor-generator 814may apply force to or retard the output shaft 874 with which it isdrivingly engaged with.

FIG. 9 is a schematic style view of a hybrid drivetrain 900 according toanother embodiment of the application. The hybrid drivetrain 900includes a power source 902, a transmission 904, and a hybrid tandemaxle drive unit 996, the hybrid tandem axle drive unit 996 including afirst axle drive assembly 918 and a second axle drive unit assembly 920.The power source 902 is drivingly engaged with an input of thetransmission 904. The hybrid tandem axle drive unit 996 is drivinglyengaged with an output of the transmission 904 through a Cardan shaft908, for example. The hybrid drivetrain 900 is similar to the hybriddrivetrain 700 shown in FIG. 7 , with the exception that the hybriddrivetrain 900 shown in FIG. 9 includes a variation of the hybrid tandemaxle drive unit 706. The variation of the application shown in FIG. 9includes similar components to the hybrid drivetrain 700 illustrated inFIG. 7 . Similar features of the variation shown in FIG. 9 are numberedsimilarly in series. Different and additional features of the variationshown in FIG. 9 can be appreciated by one skilled in the art in view ofFIG. 9 and the hybrid drivetrain 700 illustrated in FIG. 7 .

The hybrid tandem axle drive unit 996 is drivingly engaged with thetransmission 904 through the Cardan shaft 908. The hybrid tandem axledrive unit 996 comprises a planetary drive unit 916, the first axledrive assembly 918, a motor-generator 914, and the second axle driveassembly 920. The hybrid tandem axle drive unit 996 is configured to beplaced in at least two modes of operation, depending on a position of aselection clutch 922 of the planetary drive unit 916. In a first mode ofoperation, the hybrid tandem axle drive unit 996 operates in a hightorque, dual axle mode operation. In a second mode of operation, thehybrid tandem axle drive unit 996 operates in a low torque, single axlemode operation. As shown in FIG. 9 , the hybrid driveline 900 includesas optional an axle disconnect clutch 924 forming a portion of thesecond axle drive assembly 920.

The motor-generator 914 is in driving engagement with a geared shaft 988of an inter-axle assembly 982 of the second axle drive assembly 920. Themotor-generator 914 is in electrical communication with a controller 926and a battery 928. It is understood that the motor-generator 914, or anyof the other motor generators described herein, may be incorporated intoa gearbox, transmission, or other driveline component of the hybriddrivetrain 900.

Depending on an electrical control of the motor-generator 914 using thecontroller 926, the motor-generator 914 may apply force to or retard thegeared shaft 988 with which it is drivingly engaged with.

FIG. 10 is a schematic style view of a hybrid drivetrain 1000 accordingto another embodiment of the application. The hybrid drivetrain 1000includes a power source 1002, a transmission 1004, and a hybrid tandemaxle drive unit 1098, the hybrid tandem axle drive unit 1098 including afirst axle drive assembly 1018 and a second axle drive assembly 1020.The power source 1002 is drivingly engaged with an input of thetransmission 1004. The hybrid tandem axle drive unit 1098 is drivinglyengaged with an output of the transmission 1004 through a Cardan shaft1008, for example. The hybrid drivetrain 1000 is similar to the hybriddrivetrain 700 shown in FIG. 7 , with the exception that the hybriddrivetrain 1000 shown in FIG. 10 includes a variation of the hybridtandem axle drive unit 706. The variation of the application shown inFIG. 10 includes similar components to the hybrid drivetrain 700illustrated in FIG. 7 . Similar features of the variation shown in FIG.10 are numbered similarly in series. Different and additional featuresof the variation shown in FIG. 10 can be appreciated by one skilled inthe art in view of FIG. 10 and the hybrid drivetrain 700 illustrated inFIG. 7 . The hybrid tandem axle drive unit 1098 is drivingly engagedwith the transmission 1004 through the Cardan shaft 1008. The hybridtandem axle drive unit 1098 comprises a planetary drive unit 1016, thefirst axle drive assembly 018, a motor-generator 1014, and the secondaxle drive assembly 1020. The hybrid tandem axle drive unit 1098 isconfigured to be placed in at least two modes of operation, depending ona position of a selection clutch 1022 of the planetary drive unit 1016.In a first mode of operation, the hybrid tandem axle drive unit 1098operates in a high torque, dual axle mode operation. In a second mode ofoperation, the hybrid tandem axle drive unit 1098 operates in a lowtorque, single axle mode operation. As shown in FIG. 10 , the hybriddriveline 1000 includes as optional an axle disconnect clutch 1024forming a portion of the second axle drive assembly 1020.

The motor-generator 1014 is in driving engagement with a second axledrive pinion 1092 of an inter-axle assembly 1082 of the second axledrive assembly 1020. The motor-generator 1014 is in electricalcommunication with a controller 1026 and a battery 1028. It isunderstood that the motor-generator 1014, or any of the other motorgenerators described herein, may be incorporated into a gearbox,transmission, or other driveline component of the hybrid drivetrain1000. Depending on an electrical control of the motor-generator 1014using the controller 1026, the motor-generator 1014 may apply force toor retard the second axle drive pinion 1092 with which it is drivinglyengaged with.

In use, the hybrid drivetrain 700, 800, 900, 1000 may be operated in aplurality of operating modes. The hybrid drivetrain 700, 800, 900, 1000may be operated in an all-electric mode, a hybrid mode, aregeneration/braking mode, a charging mode, and a direct drive mode.Further, it is understood that the operating modes described hereinbelowwith respect to the hybrid drivetrain 700, 800, 900, 1000 may be adaptedwhere necessary to utilize the architecture of each to operate in theall-electric mode (where applicable), the hybrid mode, theregeneration/braking mode, the charging mode, and the direct drive mode.

In embodiments of the all-electric mode, the primary clutch 710, 810,910, 1010 is placed in a disengaged position, and the battery 728, 828,928, 1028 serves as the only power source for the hybrid drivetrain 700,800, 900, 1000 for the vehicle. In the all-electric mode, the hybridtandem axle drive unit 706, 894, 996, 1098, the motor-generator 714,814, 914, 1014, applies force to the hybrid drivetrain hybrid drivetrain700, 800, 900, 1000, causing rotation of at least one of the drive axles780, 786, 880, 886, 980, 986, 1080, 1086, depending on a position of theselection clutch 722, 822, 922, 1022 and a location of themotor-generator 714, 814, 914, 1014, propelling the vehicle. In responseto communication from the controller 726, 826, 926, 1026, the primaryclutch 710, 810, 910, 1010 is disengaged and the position of theselection clutch 722, 822, 922, 1022 is determined to operate the hybriddrivetrain 700, 800, 900, 1000 in the all-electric mode.

In the hybrid mode, the primary clutch 710, 810, 910, 1010 is placed inan engaged position, and the battery 728, 828, 928, 1028 and the powersource 702, 802, 902, 1002 serve as a combined power source for thehybrid drivetrain 700, 800, 900, 1000: In the hybrid mode, themotor-generator 714, 814, 914, 1014, in addition to the power source702, 802, 902, 1002, may apply force to the hybrid drivetrain 700, 800,900, 1000 to propel the vehicle. When the motor-generator 714, 814, 914,1014 and the power source 702, 802, 902, 1002 are used in the hybridmode, the primary clutch 710, 810, 910, 1010 is placed in an engagedposition, and the motor-generator 714, 814, 914, 1014 and the powersource 702, 802, 902, 1002, in response to communication with thecontroller 726, 826, 926, 1026, apply force to the hybrid drivetrain700, 800, 900, 1000, causing rotation of at least one of the drive axles780, 786, 880, 886, 980, 986, 1080, 1086, depending on a position of theselection clutch 722, 822, 922, 1022 and a location of themotor-generator 714, 814, 914, 1014.

In the regeneration/braking mode, the motor-generator 714, 814, 914,1014 is used to retard the hybrid drivetrain 700, 800, 900, 1000 for thevehicle to facilitate capturing kinetic energy of the vehicle aselectrical power to be stored in the battery 728, 828, 928, 1028. Theregeneration/braking mode may be used to assist a conventional brakingsystem or may be used to regulate a speed of the vehicle when descendingan incline. When the motor-generator 714, 814, 914, 1014 is used in theregeneration/braking mode, the selection clutch 722, 822, 922, 1022 isplaced in a position to facilitate driving engagement between at leastone of the drive axles 780, 786, 880, 886, 980, 986, 1080, 1086 and themotor-generator 714, 814, 914, 1014 and the primary clutch 710, 810,910, 1010 may be placed in a disengaged condition (it is understood thatengine braking using the power source 702, 802, 902, 1002 may or may notbe used in addition to the regeneration/braking mode), and themotor-generator 714, 814, 914, 1014 retards the hybrid drivetrain 700,800, 900, 1000 to capture kinetic energy as electrical power.

In embodiments of the charging mode, the power source 702, 802, 902,1002 and the first motor-generator 714, 814, 914, 1014 are used tocharge the battery 728, 828, 928, 1028. It is understood that thecharging mode may be utilized when the vehicle is stationary (onlyapplicable to the embodiment of the application shown in FIG. 7 ) orwhen the power source 702, 802, 902, 1002 is propelling the vehiclethrough the hybrid drivetrain 700, 800, 900, 1000. In the charging mode,the selection clutch 722, 822, 922, 022 is placed in a position tofacilitate driving engagement between at least one of the drive axles780, 786, 880, 886, 980, 986, 1080, 1086 and the motor-generator 714,814, 914, 1014 and the primary clutch 710, 810, 910, 1010 is placed inan engaged condition, allowing the power source 702, 802, 902, 1002 andthe motor-generator 714, 814, 914, 1014 to charge the battery 728, 828,928, 1028.

In the direct drive mode, the motor-generator 714, 814, 914, 1014 is notused to propel the vehicle. It is understood that the direct drive modemay be utilized when a charge level of the battery 728, 828, 928, 1028does not permit operation in the all-electric or hybrid modes. In thedirect drive mode, the primary clutch 710, 810, 910, 1010 is placed inan engaged position and the selection clutch 722, 822, 922, 1022 isplaced in a position to facilitate driving engagement between at leastone of the drive axles 780, 786, 880, 886, 980, 986, 1080, 1086 and thetransmission 704, 804, 904, 1004, and the power source 702, 802, 902,1002 in response to communication with the controller 726, 826, 926,1026, applies force (motor-generator 714, 814, 914, 1014, depending onthe embodiment) to the hybrid drivetrain 700, 800, 900, 1000 to propelthe vehicle. In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes,the present application has been described in several embodiments,however, it should be noted that the application can be practicedotherwise than as specifically illustrated and described withoutdeparting from its scope or spirit.

It will be appreciated that the configurations and routines disclosedherein are exemplary in nature, and that these specific embodiments arenot to be considered in a limiting sense, because numerous variationsare possible. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, theterms “first,” “second,” “third,” and the like are not intended todenote any order, position, quantity, or importance, but rather are usedmerely as labels to distinguish one element from another. The subjectmatter of the present disclosure includes all novel and non-obviouscombinations and sub-combinations of the various systems andconfigurations, and other features, functions, and/or propertiesdisclosed herein.

As used herein, the term “approximately” is construed to mean plus orminus five percent of the range unless otherwise specified.

The following claims particularly point out certain combinations andsub-combinations regarded as novel and non-obvious. These claims mayrefer to “an” element or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof.Such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or moresuch elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more suchelements. Other combinations and sub-combinations of the disclosedfeatures, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed throughamendment of the present claims or through presentation of new claims inthis or a related application. Such claims, whether broader, narrower,equal, or different in scope to the original claims, also are regardedas included within the subject matter of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for a hybrid vehicle comprising: in adual-axle hybrid mode, driving a first axle and a second axle using apower source and at least one motor; in a direct drive mode, driving thefirst axle using the power source by transmitting power from the powersource to a first motor of the at least one motor, from the first motorto a transmission, and from the transmission to the first axle, andselectively charging a battery with the first motor; in an electricmode, disengaging a clutch positioned between the power source and thefirst motor and driving one or more of the first axle and the secondaxle using the at least one motor; in a regeneration mode, retarding oneor more of the first axle and the second axle using the at least onemotor and charging the battery; in a charging mode, using the powersource and the first motor to charge the battery; and driving the firstaxle using the power source and the first motor in a single axle hybridmode.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one motor comprisesa second motor, and the first axle and the second axle are operatedindependently of one another with the first motor and the second motor,when only the second motor is used to propel the vehicle, disengagingthe clutch positioned between the power source and the first motor, andwhen the first motor and the second motor and the power source are usedto propel the vehicle, engaging the clutch positioned between the powersource and the first motor.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprisingtransferring power from the power source to the first axle via aplanetary drive unit, and wherein the at least one motor is connected toan input shaft of the planetary drive unit.
 4. The method of claim 1,further comprising transferring power from the power source to the firstaxle via a planetary drive unit, connecting the planetary drive unit andthe first axle with an output shaft, and wherein the at least one motordrives and retards the output shaft.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising transferring power from the power source to the first axlevia a planetary drive unit, and wherein the at least one motor drivesand retards a shaft connected to the second axle.
 6. The method of claim1, further comprising driving the first axle using the power source anddriving the second axle using the at least one motor in a dual axlehybrid mode.
 7. A method for a hybrid vehicle comprising: in a dual-axlehybrid mode, driving a first axle and a second axle using a power sourceand at least one motor; in a direct drive mode, driving the first axlevia power transmitted from the power source to a first motor of the atleast one motor, from the first motor to a transmission, and from thetransmission to the first axle transmitting power, and selectivelycharging a battery using the first motor; in an electric mode, drivingone or more of the first axle and the second axle using the at least onemotor, and disengaging a clutch coupling the power source to the firstmotor; in a regeneration mode, retarding one or more of the first axleand the second axle using the at least one motor and charging thebattery, and selectively engaging the clutch coupling the power sourceto the first motor to use the power source to brake the vehicle whileretarding the second axle with a second motor of the at least one motor;and in a charging mode, using the power source and the first motor tocharge the battery.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising drivingand retarding the first axle with the first motor, and driving andretarding the second axle independently of the first axle with thesecond motor.
 9. The method of claim 7, further comprising transferringpower from the power source to the first axle via a planetary driveunit, and in a single axle hybrid mode, disengaging the second axle, anddriving the first axle using the power source and the at least onemotor.
 10. The method of claim 7, further comprising transferring powerfrom the power source to the first axle via a planetary drive unit,driving and retarding an output shaft with the at least one motor,wherein the output shaft connects the planetary drive unit and the firstaxle, and driving the first axle with the at least one motor.
 11. Themethod of claim 7, further comprising transferring power from the powersource to the first axle via a planetary drive unit, and driving thesecond axle with the at least one motor while driving the first axlewith the power source.
 12. The method of claim 7, further comprising ina single axle hybrid mode: driving the first axle using the power sourceand the at least one motor, and disengaging the second axle.
 13. Themethod of claim 7, further comprising driving the first axle using thepower source and driving the second axle the at least one motor in adual axle hybrid mode.
 14. A hybrid vehicle comprising: a first axle anda second axle; at least one motor; a first motor of the at least onemotor outputting power to a transmission and the transmission outputtingpower to the first axle; a power source outputting power to the firstmotor and a clutch positioned between the power source and the firstmotor; a battery; and a controller configured to send electricalcommunications to: in a dual-axle hybrid mode, drive the first axle andthe second axle using the power source and the at least one motor; in adirect drive mode, engaging the clutch, driving one or more of the firstaxle and the second axle using the power source and transmitting powerthrough the first motor, and selectively charging the battery using thefirst motor; in an electric mode, drive one or more of the first axleand the second axle using the at least one motor and disengaging theclutch; in a regeneration mode, retard one or more of the first axle andthe second axle using the at least one motor, charging the battery withthe at least one motor, and selectively engaging the clutch to use thepower source to brake the vehicle; and in a charging mode, use the powersource and the at least one motor to charge the battery.